Know Your Enemy: Your One-Stop Guide to Dealing With Termites

Termites. They are not everyone’s favourite subject; we get it. But, getting to know your enemy is the first line of defence that you can take. Termites are not just a problem for the home; they can see fit to your home being destroyed. Even looking at them can make your feel itchy. But, grossness aside for a moment, they can be a serious threat to your home. The damage that they can do runs into the thousands.

Yes, termites can be more than a problem. They can be a costly pest within the home.

If you want to make sure that you are combating any issues with termites, take heed of the advice in this guide.

Spot the Warning Signs

Termites can be spotted fairly easily around the home. They have large breeding programs and as such, they will leave larvae and nests around the vicinity of your property. But, in some cases, the termites may leave their nests and spawn in underground dwellings. As such, it’s important that you spot termites before they act. You may find large, winged animals insects around your property. But, you may also find their old wings in the garden, or on the window sill. These wings are often left behind when they outgrow them. So, take a look around your home for these signs.

Extermination: Act Quickly

If you spot a termite infestation in your home, you need to act quickly. Termites can eat through wood, plaster and carpet. With this in mind, they can pose serious hazards around the home. You may find that they are in the foundations of your property. But, they may reside within the floorboards too. Listen out for a hollow sound or cracks within your floors. If this is the case, you need to exterminate them quickly and efficiently. DIY treatments, in the first instance, are probably the best course of action to take. A good quality insecticide should the first thing that you do.

However, solely relying on DIY methods is not the best course of action to take overall. Once you have applied the insecticide foam or solution, you need to call an exterminator. The nests and dwellings of termites are incredibly complex. They have a hierarchy within their chain. As such, the worker termites will not be the only ones that are around your property. There may be further termites, slightly away from your home, which acts as a breeding ground. Professional pest control is the best way of getting to the crux of the problem. You need to ensure that you are getting to the source of the problem, not just the visible signs of termites.

Preventing Termites: Can This Be Done?

Preventative action is always the best route to take. Do make sure that you get a thorough annual inspections on your home so that the early onset of termites can be spotted and treated quickly. Where possible, ensure that you are minimising the use of wood with your home. Make sure that you are filling and sealing gaps and cracks around your property. Preventing access is always the best course of action to take when dealing with pests.

Don’t let termites eat away at your home. It’s important to take action as soon as possible.